MidMichigan Environmental Action Council

https://www.facebook.com/mlive/posts/pfbid02dSWbuqXimDKq4UyYWsyxe4F55aq2dwKsk18YU2CVnDYC2mpUPUdtzXhFVcN9sywEl

Rescue efforts were spurred by hikers who reported three lake sturgeon stuck in low-water conditions on the Ontonagon River.

Catch up with MidMEAC at BealFest today

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ontario-great-lakes-sturgeon-lifespan-study-9.7329250

This Great Lakes fish may have a 400-year-old secret | CBC News New research suggests Great Lake sturgeon may live more than 400 years — far longer than previously thought. The discovery is forcing scientists to rethink the already-generations-long effort to bring the giant fish back from the brink of extinction.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FyQDR6PKA/

Late summer is a great time to take a closer look at what’s growing in Michigan lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Michigan State University Extension has created a series of illustrated aquatic plant identification cards to help people tell the difference between invasive aquatic plants and similar native species. Each card highlights key features to look for and includes information on how to report a suspected invasive species.

The series includes common aquatic plant look-alikes such as Eurasian watermilfoil and native watermilfoils, curly-leaf pondweed and native pondweeds, hydrilla and common waterweed, starry stonewort and muskgrass, European frog-bit and white water lily, and water lettuce and water hyacinth.

Learning what to look for is an important part of slowing the spread of aquatic invasive plants in Michigan waters. Organizations can also request packs of the cards for distribution while supplies are available.

Read the full article with link to cards here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/is-this-aquatic-plant-invasive

Cornell BirdCast - for those interested in bird migration

Live Maps During periods of seasonal bird migration, "live" migration maps show where nocturnal bird migration is occurring in near real-time, as detected by the U.S. weather surveillance radar network between local sunset to sunrise. The maps show how many birds are present and in what direction they are mov

Bats provide massive benefits to humans by controlling harmful pests, pollinating essential food crops, and helping regenerate damaged forests.
https://www.facebook.com/BatCon/posts/pfbid0csjVSZLmcy3RS4ooPiiVjDva6YgbbQDYToq1fDbzGN3mrv1ua3C2156uBit8WiGsl

If you love bats like we do, here's a few tips to attract more bats to your yard:

🪰 Plant a bat garden. Many bats eat night-flying insects, so you’ll want to plant flowers that either stay open through the night or bloom through the evening.
🌸 For a tasty, long-lasting buffet, choose 2-3 plants that bloom in spring, summer, and fall.
🌱 Use native plants that match your region and site conditions, as they have evolved to attract native insects. Remember: native plants attract native insects that in turn provide bat food!
🪵 For many bat species, dead trees are a comfy place to call home!
🛖 Bat house curious? Bat houses are complicated to get right, and can even harm bats if installed incorrectly. thoughtful construction and placement can increase their chances of being occupied.

For more information on bat gardens and bat houses, visit our website. Link in comments!

https://www.earth.com/earth-science/scientists-determine-the-great-lakes-are-nonrenewable/

Scientists determine the Great Lakes are nonrenewable The Great Lakes hold about 21 percent of the planet's surface fresh water, yet less than one percent of that volume renews each year. That second number, not the first, sets the limits on everyone who drinks from the basin.

Line 5 news:

Michigan Supreme Court vacates key Line 5 permit - Bridge Michigan The court ruled 6-1 that the Michigan Public Service Commission’s review of a key permit for the petroleum pipeline tunnel was overly narrow, failing to consider whether the tunnel will harm public trust resources.

https://www.inaturalist.org/

take pictures of what you see around you and engage in community science!

iNaturalist iNaturalist is a social network for naturalists! Record your observations of plants and animals, share them with friends and researchers, and learn about the natural world.

wildfire map:

FireMap: Track Wildfires in Real-Time with NASA & Local Data Explore real-time global wildfire tracking with data from NASA FIRMS, EFFIS, and local authorities on FireMap.live.